Medical Support and Rehabilitation at Home
Some patients need continued support after leaving hospital, while others may have difficulty travelling for routine care. Home healthcare can provide appropriate nursing, rehabilitation and selected clinical services in the patient's home.
PGH Hospital's home care services are designed around the patient's condition and care requirements. The service may be particularly useful for patients recovering after surgery, older adults, patients requiring wound care and those with mobility limitations.
The appropriate service is determined according to the patient's clinical needs. Where a patient requires hospital-based assessment or treatment, home care is not a substitute for emergency or specialist hospital care.
Home Healthcare Services for Different Care Needs
Depending on the patient's condition and requirements, home-based services may include:
Post-Surgery Home Care
Support following discharge may include wound observation, dressing care, medication- related support and monitoring for concerns that may require review by the treating team.
Home Nursing
Nursing support at home may be suitable for patients who require assistance with prescribed care, monitoring, wound management or other appropriate nursing needs.
IV Therapy at Home
Selected intravenous treatments may be provided at home when clinically appropriate and when prescribed by the treating medical team.
Wound Care and Dressings
Appropriate wound care at home may include dressing changes and monitoring of surgical, chronic or other wounds according to the treatment plan.
Home Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy at home may support recovery following surgery, injury or neurological conditions, particularly when travelling to a clinic is difficult.
Catheter and Tube Care
Selected patients may receive appropriate nursing support for urinary catheters, feeding tubes and other prescribed home care requirements.
Home Sample Collection
Selected laboratory samples can be collected at home for patients who have difficulty travelling to a healthcare facility.
Selected Diagnostic Services
Certain diagnostic services may be available at home for patients who are unable to travel, subject to clinical suitability and service availability.
Doctor Home Visits
Doctor home visits may be available for selected patients and locations following an assessment of the patient's needs and service availability.
When Home-Based Healthcare May Be Appropriate
Home healthcare may be considered for patients who need continued support after hospital discharge, require assistance with prescribed nursing care or have difficulty travelling because of reduced mobility or their medical condition.
It may also be considered for selected patients requiring rehabilitation, wound management or other services that can safely be delivered at home.
The suitability of home care depends on the patient's condition and the type of service required. Patients with an emergency or rapidly worsening symptoms should seek urgent medical attention rather than waiting for a home visit.
How Home Care Works
Contact the home care team
Share the patient's condition, location and type of support required.
Assessment
The patient's needs are reviewed to determine which home-based services may be appropriate.
Care plan and estimate
The proposed service, frequency and applicable charges are discussed before care begins.
Home visits begin
The agreed healthcare service is provided at home according to the care plan.
Ongoing coordination
Where appropriate, updates can be coordinated with the patient's treating medical team.
Areas We Serve
Home care availability depends on the service, patient's location and operational coverage. Contact PGH Hospital with your address to confirm whether the required service is available in your area.
Home Care Costs and Insurance
Home care charges depend on the type of service, frequency of visits and duration of care. Insurance coverage varies between policies and may depend on the medical indication and policy terms. Patients should confirm their coverage with their insurer before starting treatment.
Home Care Is Not a Substitute for Emergency Treatment
Home healthcare is intended for patients whose condition can be appropriately managed through planned home-based services. Severe breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, sudden weakness, severe chest pain, uncontrolled bleeding or other serious symptoms require urgent medical assessment.
If you are unsure whether a patient's symptoms can safely be managed at home, contact a healthcare professional for advice or seek urgent medical care where appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on the patient's needs and service availability, home care may include home nursing, post-surgery support, wound care, home physiotherapy, selected IV therapy, sample collection and other appropriate home-based healthcare services.
Home healthcare may be suitable for patients recovering after surgery, people with reduced mobility, older adults and patients who require appropriate nursing or rehabilitation support at home. Suitability depends on the patient's medical condition and the service required.
Yes, home nursing may be arranged for appropriate patients following surgery. The type and frequency of nursing care depend on the patient's condition, discharge instructions and prescribed care requirements.
Home physiotherapy may be appropriate for selected patients who need rehabilitation but have difficulty travelling. The treatment programme depends on the patient's condition, mobility and rehabilitation goals.
Appropriate wound dressings can be provided at home when the wound is suitable for home management. The dressing type and frequency should follow the treating clinician's recommendations. Worsening pain, increasing redness, swelling, discharge or other concerning changes should be medically assessed.
Selected IV treatments may be provided at home when they have been prescribed and the patient is considered suitable for home-based administration. The treatment and monitoring requirements depend on the medication or fluid being administered and the patient's clinical condition.
The patient's care requirements and location are first reviewed. The appropriate home service, frequency and practical arrangements are then discussed before visits are scheduled. Patients discharged from hospital should also follow the instructions provided by their treating team.
Home care can be useful for some older adults who need nursing, rehabilitation or other appropriate support and have difficulty travelling. The patient's medical condition should be assessed to determine whether care at home is appropriate.
Coverage varies by insurance policy, service and medical indication. Some policies may cover eligible home healthcare following hospital treatment, subject to their terms and conditions. Patients should confirm eligibility with their insurer before starting care.
Home care is not appropriate for medical emergencies. Severe breathing difficulty, severe chest pain, loss of consciousness, sudden neurological symptoms, uncontrolled bleeding or rapidly worsening symptoms require urgent medical assessment rather than waiting for a planned home visit.